Middle East Monitor / February 28, 2020
An Israeli general in the military reserve attacked Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu saying that he has become a threat to the moral and democratic system. Amos Malka, the former head of the Israeli military intelligence (Aman), described in an article, published in Yedioth Ahronoth the prime minister’s agreement to sell submarines to Egypt, endangered Israel’s security and his disregard for Knesset and president was problematic.
Malka said that he would not be surprised if the Israeli police launch a criminal investigation against Netanyahu in the case of selling submarines to Egypt. Malka added that Netanyahu completely hid the matter from the security minister at the time, the reserve general Moshe (Boghi) Yaalon, and from the commander-in-chief of the IDF General Staff.
Malka said that Netanyahu did not inform the security-political cabinet about the issue. Malka went on, saying that what is followed in Israel in sensitive issues is that the Prime Minister informs the Minister of Security about these issues and that the decision is ultimately taken by the security and the mini security-political cabinet. Here lies the severeness of Netanyahu’s behaviour in this issue, as Malka put it.
Malka, who owns a commercial company (Logic), further stated that Netanyahu is responsible for the chaos in Israel these days, blaming him for failure to form a government and the third election.
General Malka added that the third round of parliamentary elections to be held in Israel next Monday, 2 March, is critical and decisive, knowing that there are no fundamental and basic differences on political and security issues between the main Israeli parties: Likud, led by Netanyahu, Blue and White, led by Reserve General Benny Gantz and Yisrael Beiteinu party, led by extremist racist Avigdor Lieberman, according to Malka.
The Israeli general also stressed that it is reasonable that Netanyahu does what his predecessor, Ehud Olmert, demanded when he was accused of corruption by taking a break from political action and dedicating time to defend himself.
The former head of the Israeli military intelligence continued, saying that if Netanyahu had done what Olmert had advised, perhaps we would have a stable government, whether through or without national unity. Unfortunately, Netanyahu’s scandals drew the entire country into a chaotic reality.
General Malka clarified that he is really worried and concerned about the future of the state when millions of Israelis will go next week to vote for the first time in the history of Israel under the slogan “Israel against the accused Netanyahu,” because all the allegations that Netanyahu is trying to promote that he can manage the affairs of the state, in conjunction with pursuing his judicial affairs and police investigations, could not survive.
General Malka concluded by wondering: How can Prime Minister Netanyahu personally mention that there is a coup attempt against the ruling authorities, directing his accusations to the police institutions, the public prosecutor and the government’s legal advisor because they all accused him? This campaign stems from Netanyahu’s feeling that he is above the law, or for electoral considerations, using the expression (I am the victim), as General Malka put it.